Laminating resins obtained from 2,2′-(1,4-phenylenedivinylene)bispyridine bismaleimides and maleimide-terminated styrylpyridine prepolymers

A new bismaleimide (2a) , biscitraconimide (2b) , and bisnadimide (4) were synthesized by reacting 2-amino-6-methylpyridine with an equimolar amount of maleic, citraconic, or nadic anhydride, respectively, and then with a half molar amount of 1,4-benzenedicarbaldehyde in the presence of acetic anhydride. They, as well as the intermediate amic acids ( 1a, 1b, and 3 ) were characterized by IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The DTA thermograms showed that crosslinking of polymer precursors started at 180–212°C. The crosslinked resins obtained from 2a and 2b were stable up to 300–313°C and afforded anaerobic char yield of 53–60% at 800°C. The cured resin of 4 was less thermostable. In addition, end-capping of styrylpyridine prepolymers was accomplished by reacting 2,6-dimethylpyridine (n mol) with 1,4-benzenedicarbaldehyde (n + 1 mol) in acetic anhydride to yield a formyl-terminated styrylopyridine prepolymer. The latter reacted with the maleamic acid 1a (2 mol) to afford a series of maleimide-terminated styrylpyridine prepolymers MTSOs. They showed lower curing temperatures than did the ordinary poly(styrylpyridine). Their cured resins did not lose weight up to 310–344°C both in N₂ or air and afforded anaerobic char yield of 66-72% at 800°C.